Pedal drive scooter

ABSTRACT

A vehicle and in particular a scooter in which there is present a first and a second element separated from each other and movable relative to a base frame, the elements defining respective actuating surfaces disposed substantially in side by side relationship with each other with respect to a longitudinal extension axis of the vehicle; an alternated operation of the first and second movable elements ( 6, 7 ) allows a motion-transmitting unit ( 8 ) to convert the reciprocating motion into a rotatory motion imparted to one of the scooter wheels thereby causing advancing of the vehicle. The particular positioning and configuration of the movable elements ( 6, 7 ) allows a steady and efficient use of the scooter.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a vehicle of a type moved by a user,such as a scooter.

1. Field of the Invention

However the subject matter of the invention can be utilised for any typeof locomotion vehicle exploiting the action of an operator as the motivepower.

2. Description of the Related Art

It is known that common scooters presently widely on the market consistof a base frame or board designed to support a user or rider; the frameis equipped with a first and second wheel rotatably in engagement withsaid frame in such a manner as to enable movement of the scooter itself.

The structures of known type are then provided with an appropriatesteering handlebar to enable the scooter to cover curved trajectories.

As regards movement, a scooter is pushed by the rider that puts one footon the frame and pushes against the ground with the other foot giving itan advancing movement.

In addition to the above described and well known type of scooter,scooters provided with additional features have become available inrecent times.

In a first type of these scooters use of an appropriate movement unitmounted on the fixed frame is provided that offers the rider thepossibility of imparting an advancing movement to the scooter withoutpushing against the ground with one foot. In other words, the scooter isequipped with a suitable pedal to be pushed by the rider's foot foroperation; the pedal is oscillatable in an alternated manner around afulcrum and adapted to operate a movement unit capable of converting theoscillatory movement into a continuous rotatory movement directlyimparted to the rear wheel. This means that the rider is able to impartan appropriate forward thrust to the scooter by moving the pedal with asingle leg.

This type of scooter has had a further development involving associationof a rocking lever with the support frame, said rocking lever being madeof one piece construction and extending over the whole longitudinallength of the support surface of the scooter. The rocking lever ishinged in the middle on the support frame and can be oscillated aroundthis axis.

In particular, a user riding a scooter and having one foot incorrespondence with the front wheel and the other foot in correspondencewith the rear wheel alternately moves his/her weight to and fro therebycausing the rocking lever to oscillate.

Linked to this rocking lever is a chain that through appropriateintermediate members, imparts a continuous rotatory motion to the rearwheel.

Therefore, this type of scooter too is able to allow movement of thevehicle without the rider being-obliged to push against the ground withone foot.

While the above described known scooters have been hitherto on themarket, they however have some drawbacks and/or limits in operation.

In fact devices having means for motion generation on board are often ofuncomfortable use. In fact, in the scooters provided with a drivingpedal the same leg is always to be used to supply the required energyfor motion.

If the rider is tired to use one foot for driving the scooter, use ofthe other foot is substantially impossible; in addition, to enable thescooter to advance to a convenient speed, the pedal must be operatedover a long path stretch. This obviously gives rise to an uncomfortableposition in addition to a considerable effort for operation.

With reference to the above described third type of scooter that isprovided with an oscillatable rocking lever, it is to be pointed outthat the particular arrangement of the plate necessarily involves anuncomfortable position for the rider driving the motion-transmittingunit. In fact the user rides the scooter with one foot at a positiongreatly advanced towards the front wheel and the other foot at abackward position, close to the rear wheel. In addition, the two feetare at different heights so that the rider's comfort is further reduced.

Finally, in order to obtain a good advancing, big travels of theoscillating end portions are required and said portions must have asuitable distance from the fulcrum. For the above reason a rider mustalternately move his/her weight backward and forward, taking intoaccount the fact that the rider's fully backward position is not onlyuncomfortable but also much less steady than in conventional scootersdevoid of driving units.

It is also to be pointed out that in the presence of potholes or debris,positioning of the overall (scooter and rider) centre of gravity is of afundamental importance to ensure an optimal steadiness and roadholdingof the vehicle, which feature is not present in the above describedscooters.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to substantiallysolve all the mentioned drawbacks.

It is a first aim of the invention to make available a vehicle, inparticular a scooter, that can combine optimal features in terms ofsteadiness in motion with a good comfort for the rider as regards boththe rider's position on the scooter and the method of driving thelatter.

It is a further aim of the invention to provide a scooter enabling agreat efficiency with the minimum possible driving effort for the rider.

The foregoing and further aims that will become more apparent in thecourse of the present description are substantially achieved by avehicle, in particular a scooter, in accordance with the appendedclaims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further features and advantages will be best understood from thedetailed description of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment ofthe invention, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the vehicle in accordance with thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 is a partial view of a rear region of the scooter shown in FIG.1;

FIG. 3 shows a possible wheel of bigger sizes than the wheel in FIG. 1to be used in a scooter in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 4 shows a first movable element in an upward end-of-stroke positionand also shows part of the motion-transmitting unit;

FIG. 5 shows the lever seen in FIG. 4 in a downward end-of-strokeposition.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

With reference to the drawings, a locomotion vehicle in accordance withthe present invention has been generally identified by reference numeral1.

The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 in particular has the shape of atraditional scooter although it has many differences therefrom, asbetter specified in the following.

Still with reference to FIG. 1, it is possible to see that thelocomotion vehicle therein shown has the typical features of a scooter,i.e. it consists of a base frame 2 with which a first and second wheels3, 4 free to be driven in rotation around their axis are in engagement.

Then there is the presence of a steering member or handlebar 5 set toallow engagement of the scooter by a rider through appropriate handlesand also connected with the first front wheel 3 to suitably rotate therotation axis thereof so as to enable the vehicle to travel along curvedpaths.

In more detail, there is also the presence of at least one first and onesecond movable elements or plates 6, 7; both said elements are movablerelative to the base frame 2 and also active on a motion-transmittingunit 8 to enable driving in rotation of at least one of the wheels 3, 4and consequent motion of the vehicle.

The motion-transmitting unit 8 is associated with the base frame 2 andis also designed to receive motion from said movable elements 6, 7 andtransfer it to one of the two wheels 3, 4, the rear wheel 4 for example.

As viewed from FIG. 1, the first and second movable elements 6, 7possibly are distinct elements separated from each other and they aremovable in a reciprocating manner close to and away from the base frame2 (in particular see arrow 9 in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4).

Actually, the first and second movable elements 6, 7 define respectiveactuating surfaces essentially disposed in side by side relationshipwith respect to a substantially longitudinal extension axis 10 of thevehicle.

In the embodiment shown the first and second movable elements 6, 7 arehinged on the base frame 2, at a front region 1 a of the vehicle, forexample.

Thanks to this configuration these elements 6, 7 alternately oscillateup and down along direction 9, around a hinging axis 11.

In particular, oscillation takes place between a point of maximumdistance from the base frame 2 (or maximum travel; see the first element6 in the position shown in FIG. 1) and a point of minimum distance fromthe base frame 2 (or minimum travel; see the second movable element 7 inthe condition shown in FIG. 1).

The scooter also comprises synchronisation means 12 capable of suitablycoupling the movements of the first and second movable plates 6, 7.

In particular, following a displacement of the first plate 6 to theposition of maximum distance from the base frame 2, the second movableplate 7 takes a position of minimum distance from frame 2 (configurationshown in FIG. 1); following return of the movable element 6 towards thebase frame 2, the second movable element 7 will reach its position ofmaximum distance from the frame itself. In other words, to the upwardstop limit of one movable element corresponds the downward stop limit ofthe other movable element and vice versa.

To allow the above movements, said synchronisation means 12 comprises afixed structure 13 emerging away from the base frame 2 and a deformablebody 14, preferably a belt, that is movable on the fixed structure 13and in engagement by its ends with said first and second movableelements 6, 7.

In detail, there is the presence of a roller 15 idly mounted on thefixed structure 13 and over which belt 14 can run.

Looking at FIG. 2, it is clearly apparent how the movementsynchronisation of the first and second movable elements 6, 7 takesplace.

In particular a downward displacement of the movable plate 6 alongdirection 9 involves a rotation of roller 15, the movable element 7being correspondingly driven upward by belt 14.

In addition, still looking at FIGS. 1 and 2, it is possible to see thatthe movable elements 6, 7 are defined by elongated plates disposed inmutual side by side relationship along the longitudinal vehicle axis 10.

In particular said plates exactly define the support surfaces designedto receive the rider's respective feet and actually said rider can standon the scooter keeping his/her legs and feet close to each other in sideby side relationship, that is in a substantially steady and comfortableposition.

The motion-transmitting unit 8 is now examined. It is to be pointed outfirst of all that it is able to convert the reciprocating motion of themovable plates 6, 7 into a rotatory motion applied to the second wheel4.

To enable this conversion the motion-transmitting unit 8 first of allcomprises at least one deformable element 16 that can be for example abelt, a chain, or other similar element directly in engagement. (seereference 17 in FIG. 4) with the first and second movable elements 6, 7and also active at a rotation axis 18 of the second wheel 4.

Also present is a given number of intermediate members 19 (sheaves orpulleys for example) that are associated both with the movable elements6, 7 and with the base frame 21 and allow a sliding movement of thedeformable element 16 over them, as better specified in the following.

The motion-transmitting unit 8 is also equipped with two further freewheels 20, 21 preferably fitted on the axis 18 of the second wheel 4 totransfer the motion received through the deformable element 16 to thesecond wheel 4 in an alternated manner.

In detail as regards construction, there will be the presence of atleast one and preferably two intermediate members 19 for each movableelement 6, 7 and at least one and preferably two intermediate members 19for each side (corresponding to each movable element 6, 7) disposed onthe base frame 2 (see the right-hand frame half shown in FIGS. 4 and 5).

Finally, the motion-transmitting unit 8 comprises a further intermediatemember 22 (shown in FIGS. 4 and 5) that is disposed horizontally toallow motion of the deformable element 16 between the first and secondmovable elements 6, 7.

After the above statements from a structural point of view, operation ofthe vehicle in accordance with the invention is as follows.

The rider gets on the scooter placing one foot on the movable plate 6and the other foot on the movable plate 7 in side by side relationshipand close to the rear region of the scooter itself.

Then the rider starts moving his/her weight on the left leg and rightleg in an alternated manner so as to impart an alternated oscillatorymotion to plates 6, 7 around the hinging axis 11.

Correspondingly, through the synchronisation means 12, motion of plates6, 7 is maintained synchronised because belt 14 allows a downward motionof a first one of said plates simultaneously with an upward motion ofthe other plate and vice versa.

During this reciprocating motion, and in particular during the upwardmotion, illustrated in the passage of configuration from FIG. 5 to FIG.4 for example, the deformable element 16 linked to the fixed frame atpoints 17 is submitted to a dragging action and passes from aconfiguration of minimum extension shown in FIG. 5 to a configuration ofmaximum extension shown in FIG. 4.

In particular moving of the intermediate members 19 present on the firstmovable plate 6 away from those present on the fixed frame 2 involvescreation of respective U-shaped undulations of a higher length thattherefore give rise to a displacement of belt 16 away from thehorizontal intermediate member 22 towards the first free wheel 20 so asto reach the configuration shown in FIG. 4.

During this movement therefore the belt 16 drives the free wheel 20 inrotation, which wheel in turn, being fitted on the shaft of wheel 18,gives rise to a corresponding rotation of the latter that is convertedinto an advancing movement of the scooter.

During the opposite return movement from the configuration in FIG. 4 tothat in FIG. 5, the second movable element 7 (arranged in a mirror imagesymmetry with respect to the just described element) exactly carries outthe same movement, thereby causing belt 16 to be dragged along as shownin FIG. 4 from the first free wheel 20 towards the horizontalintermediate member 22, to the intermediate members present exactly onthe second movable element 7.

During this movement, a rotation of the free wheel 21 (opposite to thefree wheel 20 with respect to the rear wheel 4) will be caused, saidfree wheel 21 in turn transmitting the rotatory motion to the back wheel4 and therefore still causing an advancing movement of scooter 1.

It will be easily understood that the free wheels 20 and 21 areexclusively active during the rotation step in the advancing directionof the scooter and are idle during the opposite movement.

It will be appreciated that application of the present invention isobviously also possible to devices that greatly differentiate from ascooter.

In particular the same pushing device can be applied to vehiclesprovided with three or more wheels also of much bigger sizes than thoseof a current scooter (see the illustration in FIG. 3, for example). Inaddition, the motion-transmitting unit as described represents thepreferred embodiment, but it could also be made using a different systemfor converting the reciprocating motion defined by the two plates into acorresponding rotatory motion of the rear wheel.

The invention achieves important advantages.

First of all the present invention, depending on requirements, allowsuse as a scooter to be pushed in a traditional manner for example at thestarting moment and to be pushed by means of levers in order to maintainor increase speed.

The vehicle allows speeds comparable with those of a normal bicycle tobe maintained for a long period of time under conditions of greatsteadiness of the vehicle in use.

The particular positioning of the movable plates enables the rider tomaintain a correct position on the scooter and also to drive it in acomfortable manner and with a reduced effort.

In fact, due to the presence of two movable levers, the necessarytravels to ensure an optimal advancing of the vehicle can be halved;selecting an upward end-of-stroke position the travel of which is notvery long allows the rider's effort to be minimised; in fact the rideris able to drive the device of the invention by lateral displacements ofhis/her weight and small variations in the height of his/her legs andfeet.

Finally the rider can maintain his/her rest position by lying both feeton the two plates keeping the latter to the same height, which furtherincreases comfort in use.

In particular, by adopting two separated pushing plates distinct fromeach other the rider's movements are made easier and the foot-restsurfaces are disposed much closer to each other.

1. A scooter comprising: a base frame (2) having an upper surface; afirst and a second wheel (3, 4) in engagement with the base frame (2) toallow movement of the scooter; a motion-transmitting unit (8) associatedwith the base frame (2) to drive at least one of said wheels (3, 4); atleast one first and one second plate (6, 7) separated from each other,superposed to the upper surface of the base frame (2) and movable inreciprocating manner between a point of minimum distance from the uppersurface of the base frame (2) and a point of maximum distance from theupper surface of the base frame (2), said first and second movableplates (6, 7) being active on the motion-transmitting unit (8) to allowat least one of said wheels (3, 4) to be driven into rotation wherebyenabling the scooter movement, the motion-transmitting unit (8)converting a reciprocating motion of the movable plates (6, 7) into arotatory motion applied to the second wheel (4) and comprising at leastone deformable element (16) directly in engagement with the first andsecond movable plates (6, 7) and also active on two free-wheels (20, 21)to transfer the motion received through the deformable element (16) tothe second wheel (4) in an alternated matter; means (12) forsyncronizing motion of said first and second movable plates (6, 7)comprising a fixed structure (13) emerging away from the upper surfaceof the base frame (2) and a deformable body (14), other than saiddeformable element (16), which is movable on the fixed structure (13)and is in engagement at its opposite ends with said first and secondmovable plate (6, 7), wherein the first and the second movable plates(6, 7) are hinged on the base frame (2) at a front region (1 a) of thescooter in correspondence of a steering member (5) and are defined byelongated plates disposed in mutual side by side relationship along alongitudinal vehicle axis (10), so as to exactly define a supportsurface designed to receive a rider's respective feet, so as a rider canstand on the scooter keeping legs and feet closed to each other in sideby side relationship.
 2. A scooter as claimed in claim 1, furthercomprising a roller (15) idly mounted on the fixed structure (13), thedeformable body (14) running over said roller (15).
 3. A scooter asclaimed in claim 1, further comprising a steering member (5) active on afront wheel, to allow the scooter to travel over curved paths.
 4. Ascooter as claimed in claim 1, wherein the motion-transmitting unit (8)further comprises a predetermined number of intermediate members (19)mounted to the movable plates (6, 7) and the base frame (2), thedeformable element (16) being movable on an intermediate member (19). 5.A scooter as claimed in claim 4, wherein the motion-transmitting unit(8) comprises at least one intermediate member (19) for each movableplate (6, 7) and at least one intermediate member (19) corresponding toeach movable plate (6, 7) on the base frame (2), a movement away fromthe base frame (2) by the first movable plate (6) causing dragging alongof part of the deformable element (16) from the second movable plate (7)to the first movable plate (6) and driving in rotation of a free wheel(20) and consequently of the second wheel (4), a movement away from thebase frame (2) by the second movable plate (7) causing a correspondingdragging along of part of the deformable element (16) from the firstmovable plate (6) to the second movable plate (7) and driving inrotation of a second free wheel (21) and consequently of the secondwheel (4).
 6. A scooter as claimed in claim 4, wherein themotion-transmitting unit (8) comprises a further intermediate member(22) to allow movement of the deformable element (16) between the firstand second movable plates (6, 7).
 7. A scooter comprising: a base frame(2); a first and a second wheel (3, 4) in engagement with the base frame(2) to allow movement of the vehicle; a motion-transmitting unit (8)associated with the base frame (2) to drive at least one of said wheels(3, 4), a deformable body (14) which movable of a fixed structure (13);at least one first and one second plate (6, 7) separated from each otherand movable with respect to the base frame (2), said first and secondmovable plates (6, 7) being active on the motion-transmitting unit (8)to allow at least one of said wheels (3, 4) to be driven in rotationthereby enabling movement of the vehicle, said first and second movableplates (6, 7) defining respective actuating surfaces arrangedsubstantially in side by side relationship with each other with respectto a longitudinal extension axis (10) of the vehicle, the actuatingsurfaces being shiftable by a rider with a reciprocating motion, themotion-transmitting unit comprising a deformable element (16) inengagement with first and second movable plates (6, 7) and furthercomprising two free-wheels (20, 21), the deformable element (16) causinga rotation of said two free-wheels (20, 21), said free-wheels (20, 21)in turn transmitting a rotatory motion to said wheel (4).
 8. A scooteraccording to claim 7, wherein the base frame (2) comprises an upperhorizontal wall, two lateral walls and two bottom walls to define acontaining space, the two free-wheels (20, 21) being placed inside saidcontaining space.